Branford police share tips to prevent vehicle theft

By Register Staff

Updated
2:42 pm EDT, Wednesday, May 2, 2018

BRANFORD — In light of the recent increase in motor vehicle thefts, the Police Department reminds residents always to be alert, proactive and keep their guards up, according to the department’s warning on its website.

On average, approximately 33 vehicles are stolen each year in town, but, in 2017, police responded to a total of 44 motor vehicle thefts, the website said.

Car thefts are a crime of opportunity, the website said, as a vast majority of them could have easily been prevented. Seventy-six percent of motor vehicles stolen in 2017 were left unlocked with their keys inside.

Police said on the website time is of the essence for vehicle theft — the more difficult it is for a criminal to gain access, the more likely he or she will move from your car to an easier target.

Of the vehicles stolen last year, 77 percent were recovered within an average of 16 days from the day they were reported stolen. However, the amount of time before recovery ranged anywhere from 0 to 232 days. Most vehicles were recovered in poor condition, often showing damage consistent with motor vehicle accidents, according to the website.

A vehicle doesn’t have to be expensive, new or flashy to make it an appealing target. Most stolen vehicles are used for transportation or “joyriding,” police said. The type of vehicle used to do so isn’t of great importance to the thief, the website stated.

To reduce the possibility of car theft, the Police Department recommended utilizing a garage if you have one, always locking a vehicle’s doors, closng windows, never leaving the keys inside a vehicle, parking in well-lit areas, keeping all items of value concealed and never leaving a vehicle running unattended.

The police also suggest installing an anti-theft alarm system or a “kill switch.”